When are the competition deadlines and announcements?

Do you accept entries via snail mail?

No. In an attempt to be green, we’re not accepting hard copies via the postal service. We’re accepting online entries and online payments via Paypal only. This includes all major credit cards.

Do I have to enter my script as a PDF?

Yes. We only accept scripts in PDF format.

Should I include my title page with my screenplay?

While you are welcome to include a title page with your title, author(s) name, telephone number and email address, the full title page is not required and will not have any effect on your placement.

Can I submit a screenplay under a pen name?

Yes.

Does my script have to be registered?

No, but we DO recommend registering your work with the WGA and/or the Library of Congress Copyright office.

Does the writer maintain rights to the screenplay?

Yes, always!

When will I receive my analysis?

Feedback is completed in the order in which it is received and will be emailed to you within 90 days of your submission date.

Can I re-enter a rewrite or corrected versions of my script if I haven't ordered analysis?

Yes, you may re-enter your screenplay for the price of the current deadline fee.

What if I make a mistake and send the wrong script?

If you make a legitimate mistake entering and recognize this within 24 hours, email us here, and we’ll send you instructions on replacing your screenplay: Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com

Do I need to submit a logline? Synopsis?

Logline: YES / Synopsis: NO

Do you accept short screenplays?

No, not at this time.

Will my screenplay be accepted if it’s not in the traditional format?

Scripts should be written in standard spec screenplay or teleplay format, set in 12-point Courier font. Common programs for this format include: Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter, or Celtx. Scripts should be standard length. While your entry will still be fully considered if it is either formatted differently or longer or shorter than these specified page counts, for your own benefit we recommend that you adhere to the page length and formatting guidelines.

What's the minimum/maximum required page length?

Features: 80 – 130 pages. TV Pilots: Up to 70 pages.

My screenplay is longer than 130 pages. Will it be disqualified?

No, but we urge you to stay within the guidelines. It’s rare that a good screenplay requires more than the standard number of pages.

If I'm over 130 pages and receiving analysis, will my full script be read?

If you order analysis, you will be charged $1 for each page over 130 pages. You will be emailed to discuss and billed separately, or you are welcome to just have your analysis done on the first 130 pages of your screenplay at the regular price.

What genres do you accept, and can I enter in more than one?

We accept all genres. We understand scripts can be categorized in many genres. Please pick from the genre below that best reflects your screenplay. You are welcome to enter in more than one genre, but another entry fee is required. Action/Adventure, Thriller, Animation, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comedy, Drama, Family, Historical, and Horror

Do you accept novels, short stories, stage plays, treatments or synopses, reality show concepts, musicals or spec scripts for existing TV series?

No, we’re sorry; we do not. We accept ORIGINAL feature length screenplays and TV pilots only.

Can I submit an adaptation of a book or play?

Absolutely, as long as you have full rights to the material and either are the author or have a written agreement with the author allowing this script to be written and marketed.

Can I submit more than one screenplay?

You can submit up to 4 screenplays per submission form. When you do, you will receive a discount for your 2nd and 3rd script entries.

If I enter my screenplay in more than one genre, do I get a discount?

You can enter your screenplay in as many genres as you like, and you’ll receive a discount on additional scripts if you upload them on the same submission form.

Will entering early increase or decrease my chance of winning?

Entering early will neither increase nor decrease your chance of winning, but it will save you money!

How will I know if you received my script?

You will receive an email confirming your entry immediately upon submitting. If you do not, please email us here: Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com.

What if my script is optioned or sold after I enter the competition?

As long as your script was not optioned for a contract that is still in effect or sold prior to the date you submitted it to the competition, you are still eligible for an award.

I don’t live in the United States. Can I still enter the competition?

International entries are absolutely welcome, but all scripts must be in English. No other languages are accepted at this time.

Does Paypal accept currencies other than the American Dollar?

Yes! Paypal is set up to exchange most currencies into the American Dollar. Please visit www.Paypal.com if you have any questions.

Rules

All writers from all countries are welcome to enter the competition; however, all scripts must be submitted in English, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

Emerging Screenwriters Grand Prize Winners and their screenplays are ineligible to enter into any future contest season.

If screenwriters receive 2nd – 6th place awards 3 times with 3 different screenplays the writer will no longer be eligible to submit.

Scripts must be the original work of the author(s) and may not be encumbered by any third party.

Scripts that have been sold, produced for a profit, or are currently under option are not eligible.

Novels, short stories, stage plays, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts, and/or spec scripts for existing TV series are not eligible. Your script must be an original screenplay or teleplay.

Screenplays adapted from your own self-published books, plays, or other source material are eligible if you have retained all rights to your work.

Adaptations from other works are permissible provided you have the writer’s written permission to adapt the work.

Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.

Collaborative work is eligible; the writers are responsible for the distribution of the competition prize(s).

Those that receive a free script analysis are not eligible to receive a free resubmission, which may come as an option with purchased script analyses or unless otherwise stated in a promotion.

The writer understands that a script analysis can take up to 90-days turn-around time and may not be received before the end of the contest.

You may submit your entry and payment online only. We’re GREEN!

Promotions must be used at the time of submission and will not be added to previous submissions.

Multiple entries are permissible.

Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will only accept substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages if you contact us within 24 hours. After that, under no circumstances will we accept changes. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission and pay the appropriate entry fee.

Writers under the age of 18 years old must have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate.

Competition applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.

Writer understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to register Material with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in his/her country.

Payments to be accepted via Paypal only, or through registrations on the ISA website. All major credit cards accepted.

By entering this competition, and in the event you are declared a finalist, you understand and accept that Emerging Screenwriters and the ISA will be free to use your name and likeness for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.

Contestants are under no obligation to participate therein.

Contestants may submit their screenplay to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization and will retain all rights to their screenplay.

No agreement for compensation, other than the prizes, has been implied.

Prizes may be distributed in the rate of 1 package per person based on the highest placement and not per winning screenplay, depending on the request of the sponsor.

The Grand Prize through 3rd Place cash prizes will be provided in 3 installments over 3 months.

ISAConnect Membership prizes expire after 90 days and cannot be combined with a current free ISAConnect membership.

Decisions of the Judges are final and may not be disputed. The Judges will adhere to our competition guidelines; however, the competition and its administrators may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on the part of the Judges.

If you order a script analysis you may be charged separately $1 for each page over 130 pages, or the reader may only read the first 130 pages.

Please do not enclose synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes or photos with your submission. They will not be forwarded to the Judges. However, if you’re submitting a TV Pilot you may include standard supplementary materials, such as lists of recurring characters and future episodes. Email them to: Submissions@EmergingScreenwriters.com.

You understand that your logline and screenplay will be reviewed by our staff and/or our panel of Industry Judges for evaluation. You also understand that any one of the staff or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to yours, and you hereby waive any claim that the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, its staff or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of your submission logline or screenplay.

The writer understands and accepts without reservation that he/she is an independent contractor and that Competition Administrators are not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.

To enter the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition you must agree to the Rules.